Exterior light and charge indicator

ABSTRACT

Electric vehicles indicate charge levels in different ways. A lighting control module is communicatively is configured to illuminate an exterior light of an electric vehicle to indicate a charge status of a battery for the electric vehicle. The charge status is indicated based on varying an intensity of the exterior light, based on illuminating a subset of the exterior lights, and/or based on an animation. The display of the charge indicator varies based on a location of the vehicle, the presence of a person in proximity to the vehicle, and/or a charger connected to the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/459,328, filed Jul. 1, 2019, which claims benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/692,560, filed Jun. 29, 2018, the disclosureof which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

INTRODUCTION

Electric vehicles require charging. Electric vehicles indicate chargelevels in different ways. For example, some use a small light near thewindshield or an indication on the dashboard. Others use a chargeindicator at the charging port. The way charge indicators are used canbe confusing to someone unfamiliar with a particular electric vehiclemodel. For example, when a vehicle is charging at a public chargingstation, it can be difficult to determine if the vehicle is fullycharged and can be disconnected to begin charging another electricvehicle. It is also difficult to determine the charging status of avehicle a short distance away from the vehicle.

It would be advantageous to provide a user with an easy way to read acharge indicator of an electric vehicle. It would also be advantageousto provide a charge indicator that is visible a short or longer distanceaway from an electric vehicle. It would also be advantageous to utilizeexisting exterior lighting or lighting areas to provide a chargeindicator.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a charge indicator system is provided for anelectric vehicle. The charge indicator system comprises an exteriorlight, such as a running light, a battery management module, and alighting control module. The lighting control module is communicativelycoupled to the battery management module and is configured to cause theexterior light to emit light during driving operation of the electricvehicle. The lighting control module is also configured to receivecharge status information of a vehicle battery from the batterymanagement module and cause the exterior light to emit light thatindicates charge status based on the received charge status information.In some embodiments, the running light is a daytime running light or afront or rear position light.

In some embodiments, the lighting control module is configured to causethe exterior light to emit light at a substantially constant intensityduring driving operation of the electric vehicle and emit light at avarying intensity during charging. In some embodiments, the lightingcontrol module is configured to cause the exterior light to emit lightat a rapidly varying intensity when the charge status informationindicates a charging fault has occurred. In some embodiments, the lightemitted during driving operation and during charging is the same color.

In some embodiments, the exterior light comprises a width and a height,where the width is at least five times greater than the height. In someembodiments, the exterior light comprises a first set of light emittingdiodes (LEDs) for emitting light during driving operation of theelectric vehicle and a second set of LEDs for emitting light thatindicates the charge status. In some embodiments, the lighting controlmodule is configured to cause a first subset of the second set of LEDsto emit light to indicate a first charge status and cause a secondsubset of the second set of LEDs to emit light to indicate a secondcharge status.

In some embodiments, the lighting control module is configured to causethe exterior light to emit light of a first color (e.g., white) duringdriving operation of the electric vehicle and emit light of a secondcolor during charging, where the first color is different than thesecond color (e.g., blue). In some embodiments, the lighting controlmodule is configured to cause the exterior light to emit light of athird color (e.g., green) when the vehicle battery is fully charged. Insome embodiments, the lighting control module is configured to cause theexterior light to emit light of a fourth color (e.g., red) when there isa charging fault.

In some embodiments, the charge indicator system further comprises aproximity sensor configured to detect the presence of a person. In suchembodiments, the lighting control module is configured to receive asignal from the proximity sensor indicating the presence of a person andcause the exterior light to emit light that indicates charge statusresponsive to the signal indicating the presence of a person. In someembodiments, the proximity sensor comprises a motion sensor configuredto detect motion and the signal indicating the presence of a personcomprises a signal indicating the presence of motion. In someembodiments, the proximity sensor comprises one of a near-fieldcommunication device and a Bluetooth communication device.

In some embodiments, the charge indicator system further comprises apositioning device configured to determine a location of the electricvehicle. In such embodiments, the lighting control module is configuredto receive a signal from the positioning device indicating the locationof the electric vehicle and cause the exterior light to emit light thatindicates charge status responsive to the location of the electricvehicle. For example, the lighting control module may be configured tocause the exterior light to not emit light that indicates charge statuswhen both the electric vehicle is charging and the location of theelectric vehicle is within a threshold distance (e.g., 50 feet) of atagged location (e.g., a tagged location of a user's home). As anotherexample, the lighting control module may be configured to cause theexterior light to emit light that indicates charge status when thelocation of the electric vehicle is not within a threshold distance ofthe tagged location (e.g., when the vehicle is located at a publiccharger that is more than 50 feet away from the tagged location of theuser's home).

In some embodiments, a method for indicating charge status of anelectric vehicle is provided. The method comprises emitting light of asubstantially constant light intensity, using an exterior light, duringdriving operation of the electric vehicle (e.g., when the electricvehicle is turned on and ready to drive, and/or is moving in a forwardor reverse direction). The method further comprises receiving chargestatus information of a vehicle battery from a battery management moduleand emitting light, using the exterior light, that indicates chargestatus of the based on the received charge status information.

In some embodiments, the exterior light comprises a downwardilluminating light source. In such embodiments, the downwardilluminating light source may illuminate a reflective surface within theexterior light. The reflective surface may be configured to reflectlight from the downward illuminating light source to an exterior lens.In some embodiments, a texture of the reflective surface is selectedbased on a desired light scattering and reflection of incident lightfrom the downward illuminating light source. In some embodiments, theexterior lens is integrated with and adjacent to another exterior light(e.g., below a taillight lens).

In some embodiments, the charge indicator system is configured to causethe exterior light to display an animation in response to detecting thatthe vehicle is either being charged by, or is charging, another vehicle.For example, the charge indicator system may cause the exterior light todisplay an outward moving animation in response to detecting that thevehicle is charging another vehicle (e.g., via vehicle to vehiclecharging). As another example, the charge indicator system may cause theexterior light to display an inward moving animation in response todetecting that the vehicle is receiving a charge from another vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only andmerely depict typical or example embodiments. These drawings areprovided to facilitate an understanding of the concepts disclosed hereinand shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, orapplicability of these concepts. It should be noted that for clarity andease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

FIG. 1 shows a system diagram of a charging arrangement, including anillustrative battery charger and an illustrative electric vehicle, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows four illustrative views of a rectangular exterior light ofan electric vehicle indicating charge status in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows four illustrative views of an oval exterior light of anelectric vehicle indicating charge status in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a plot of an illustrative light intensity signal inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a plot of an illustrative light intensity signal thatvaries at a first frequency in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a plot of an illustrative light intensity signal thatvaries at a second frequency in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative arrangement of an exterior light of anelectric vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 shows an illustrative cross sectional view of an exterior lightof an electric vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows three illustrative views of an exterior light of anelectric vehicle indicating an outflow of current from the electricvehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 shows three illustrative views of an exterior light of anelectric vehicle indicating an inflow of current to the electric vehiclein accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 shows illustrative views of an exterior light of an electricvehicle indicating charge status in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 12 shows illustrative views of an exterior light of an electricvehicle indicating a charging delay in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Vehicles commonly include different types of exterior lighting, such hasheadlights, taillights, fog lights, turn signal lights, position lights,and daytime running lights. Each type of light is used for a particularpurpose during operation of vehicles. Typically, when a vehicle isturned off, the exterior lights are also turned off either immediatelyor after a short period of time. Also, when an electric vehicle ischarging, the vehicle is usually in a lower power state or turned offwith the exterior lights also turned off.

In accordance with the present disclosure, one or more exterior vehiclelights are used to indicate the charging status of an electric vehicle.The exterior lights therefore can be used for multiple purposes. In someembodiments, an exterior light (e.g., a daytime running light or aposition light) is used to indicate the charging status, for example,when the vehicle is connected to a charger. In some embodiments, ataillight (e.g., a tailgate light bar) is used to indicate the chargingstatus. Accordingly, an exterior light can be used for differentpurposes based on the state of the vehicle. The same light source orsources within the exterior light or different lights sources (e.g., ofdifferent colors) can be used depending on whether the vehicle is beingoperated (e.g., in a driving mode), connected to a charger, or isproviding power to another entity (e.g., when providing power to thegrid or another vehicle). Thus, the charge indicator system of thepresent disclosure provides a convenient way to indicate the chargestatus of an electric vehicle.

FIG. 1 shows a system diagram of a charging arrangement 100, includingillustrative battery charger 110 and illustrative electric vehicle 120,in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Electricvehicle 120 includes a battery 122, which may include one or morebattery modules, electric vehicle subsystems 130, sensors 145, andexterior lighting 140. Electrical vehicle subsystems 130 includes, forexample, battery management module 132, on-board charger (OBC) 134,lighting control module 136, and any suitable additional orcorresponding equipment.

In some embodiments, battery management module 132 and on-board charger134 may be combined. For example, battery management module 132 may beincluded in on-board charger 134. In some embodiments, batterymanagement module 132 and on-board charger 134 may be partially, orwholly, implemented as separate systems, which may communicate with eachother. For example, on-board charger 134 may include connectors forinterfacing with a battery charger, and battery management module 132may connect charging terminals from on-board charger 134 to battery 122via one or more controllable switches. In a further example, batterymanagement module 132 may include a software package, implemented onprocessing equipment of on-board charger 134, which may include charginghardware (e.g., connections, switches, and sensors).

In some embodiments, battery management module 132 may be configured tomanage charging of battery 122, which may include measuring one or morebattery characteristics of battery 122, identifying if a fault hasoccurred, providing power to one or more of electric vehicle subsystems130 (e.g., lighting control module 136), communicating with batterycharger 110, any other suitable actions, or any combination thereof.Battery management module 132 may be coupled to battery 122 via coupling154. Battery management module 132 may include, for example, electricalcomponents (e.g., switches, bus bars, resistors, capacitors), controlcircuitry (e.g., for controlling suitable electrical components), andmeasurement equipment (e.g., to measure voltage, current, impedance,frequency, temperature, or another parameter). Battery management module132 may provide charge status information to lighting control module136. Charge status information includes, for example, charge level,whether the battery is being charged, charging current, chargingvoltage, charging mode, and whether a charging fault exists.

In some embodiments, electric vehicle 120 may be plugged, or otherwiseconnected to, battery charger 110 via couplings 150 and 152. Forexample, a single cable (e.g., having a SAE J1772 charging plug), havingmore than one conductor of suitable gauge, may be used to couple batterycharger 110 to electric vehicle 120. The single cable may includeconductors for carrying charging current (e.g., coupling 150) andconductors for transmitting information (e.g., coupling 152). It will beunderstood that any suitable arrangement of leads may be used inaccordance with the present disclosure. For example, in someembodiments, coupling 152 may include both charging leads andinformation leads, and arrangement 100 need not include coupling 150.

Battery charger 110 may be coupled to a power source, such as a powertransmission grid, a solar panel, a generator, a wind turbine, oranother vehicle, and may be configured to provide charging current at asuitable charging voltage to battery 122 of electric vehicle 120.Battery charger 110 may be, for example, a fixed charging station (e.g.,a charging station installed in a public location or in a user's home),a portable charger (e.g., a charger connected to a portable generator, aportable solar panel, or another vehicle). In some embodiments, batterycharger 110 may be capable of charging a battery (e.g., battery 122) atone or more voltages, with one or more current limitations. For example,battery charger 110 may receive information from electric vehiclesubsystems 130 (e.g., on-board charger 134 via coupling 152) describingwhat voltage, current, or both, electric vehicle 120 may be chargedwith. Battery charger 110 may provide a charging current that is limitedby one or more constraints. For example, electric vehicle 120 maycommunicate to battery charger 110 what charging current is desired forcharging. In a further example, a cable type (e.g., coupling 150) mayhave a maximum associated current capacity based on insulation and heattransfer considerations. In some embodiments, battery charger 110 andon-board charger 134, support both the inflow and outflow of currentfrom battery 122 via coupling 150. For example, during vehicle tovehicle charging or vehicle to grid power supply, battery charger 110and/or on-board charger 134 may direct power from battery 122 to a powersource coupled to battery charger 110, such as a battery of anothervehicle or an electric power grid.

Battery 122 may include bus bars (e.g., for connecting terminals ofbattery modules, pre-charge circuits or measurements), switches (e.g.,contactors for opening and closing battery connections), sensors (e.g.,for sensing temperature, voltage, current, impedance, or otherparameters), any other suitable components, or any suitable combinationthereof.

Sensors 145 include any of one or more sensors. Sensors 145 are coupledto electric vehicle subsystems 130 (e.g., lighting control module 136)via coupling 156 (e.g., a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus). In someembodiments, sensors 145 comprise a positioning device configured todetermine a location of electric vehicle 120. For example, thepositioning device may be a satellite navigation system receiver such asGlobal Positioning System (GPS) receiver or a Global NavigationSatellite system (GLONASS) receiver. As another example, the positioningdevice operate may operate on terrestrial signals, such as cell phonesignals, Wi-Fi signals, or ultra-wideband signals. The determinedlocation may be in any suitable form such as a geographic coordinate, astreet address, a nearby landmark such as an identification of thenearest charging station or a tagged location associated with thevehicle (e.g., a location of a home of the user stored by electricvehicle subsystems 130). In some embodiments, electric vehiclesubsystems 130 uses the determined location to identify whether thevehicle is within a threshold range of a tagged location (e.g., iswithin a geofence). For example, electric vehicle subsystems 130 maydetermine whether vehicle 120 is within fifty feet of a tagged homelocation of the user. Electric vehicle subsystems 130 may determine thatvehicle 120 is in a user's home when the determined location is withinfifty feet of the tagged home location. In contrast, electric vehiclesubsystems 130 may determine that vehicle 120 is not in a user's homewhen the determined location is not within fifty feet of the tagged homelocation. In some embodiments, electric vehicle subsystems 130 mayutilize the determined location to identify whether battery charger 110is a home charging station or a non-home charging station (e.g., apublic charging station, another vehicle, a generator, etc.). Thedetermined location information and/or an indication of whether thevehicle is within the threshold distance of the tagged location can betransmitted to lighting control module 136.

In some embodiments, sensors 145 comprise one or more proximity sensorsconfigured to detect the presence of a person. The proximity sensor canbe one or more of a near-field communication device, a Bluetoothcommunication device, a motion sensor (e.g., a motion detecting cameraor passive infrared detector), an ultrasonic sensor, an electromagneticsensor, any other suitable proximity sensor, and any suitablecombination thereof. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor detectsthe presence of a person by detecting the presence of user device 135(e.g., using wireless signal 160). User device 135 can be any suitableuser device, such as a cell phone, smart watch, tablet, or key fob. Theproximity sensor can transmit data to electric vehicle subsystems 130,including lighting control module 136. The transmitted data can indicatethe presence or absence of a person. For example, when the proximitysensor is a motion sensor, the transmitted data can indicate whethermotion is present.

Exterior lighting 140 may include one or more of headlights (e.g., lowbeam and high beam lights), fog lights, taillights, backup lights, turnsignal lights, running lights (e.g., daytime running lights and positionlights), and any other suitable lights. An exemplary arrangement ofexterior lighting 140 is discussed further in relation to FIG. 7 .Exterior lighting 140 is controlled by electric vehicle subsystems 130via coupling 158.

In some embodiments, lighting control module 136 may be configured tocontrol exterior lighting 140. Lighting control module 136 may be astandalone module or may be combined with any other module of electricvehicle subsystems 130. Lighting control module 136 can control exteriorlighting 140 based on the current state of the vehicle. For example,lighting control module 136 may receive data indicating that the car isin a running state (e.g., from a motor management module of electricvehicle subsystems 130). Lighting control module 136 may determine,based on the received data (e.g., via a lookup table), a specificexterior light to illuminate, an intensity, a color, a frequency, etc.,when the vehicle is in a running or driving state. For example, when thestate of the vehicle is in drive, reverse, parked but ready to begindriving, or is currently moving, lighting control module 136 can causean exterior light (e.g., the daytime running light, the position light,the tail light, etc.) to emit light (e.g., a substantially constantwhite or red light). As another example, when the state of the vehicleis in a running or driving state of operation and the brake is pressed,lighting control module 136 can cause the taillight to emit light (e.g.,a substantially constant red light at a higher intensity than during therunning or driving state of operation).

In some embodiments, lighting control module may control exteriorlighting 140 based on a charge state received from battery managementmodule 132. As example, when lighting control module 136 receives chargestatus information from battery management module 132 indicating thatthe vehicle is being charged, lighting control module 136 can causeexterior lighting 140 to emit light that indicates the charge status.For example, as discussed further below with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 ,if lighting control module 136 receives an indication from batterymanagement module 132 that battery 122 is half-way charged, lightingcontrol module 136 may cause exterior lighting 140 to emit light from50% of the lighting modules within exterior lighting 140.

Lighting control module 136 can also control exterior lighting 140responsive to data received from sensors 145. For example, lightingcontrol module 136 can use the received data to determine when todisplay the charge status using exterior lighting 140. For example, whenvehicle 120 is being charged at home (e.g., based determining that thevehicle is within a threshold distance of a tagged location), the chargestatus information may not be displayed unless a person is in thevicinity of the vehicle. Lighting control module 136 may receive datafrom sensor 145, such as a positioning sensor, indicating that the caris located within a home. When lighting control module 136 receives datafrom sensors 145 indicating the presence of a person (e.g., based ondetecting the presence of a key fob, detecting motion around the car,detecting a hand waved above a sensor, detecting selection of a button,etc.), lighting control module 136 can cause exterior lighting 140 toemit light that indicates the charge status. In some embodiments controlmodule 136 will cause exterior lighting 140 to cease emitting light thatindicates the charge status, after a threshold amount of time (e.g., twominutes) from detecting the presence of a person. In some embodiments,lighting control module 136 may cause exterior lighting 140 to ceaseemitting light that indicates the charge status upon detecting, based ondata from sensors 145, that a person is no longer within the vicinity ofthe vehicle.

In some embodiments, lighting control module 136 may determine whetherto illuminate a front or rear exterior light based on an orientation ofthe vehicle. For example, when lighting control module determines, basedon data from an orientation sensor (e.g., sensor 145), that a vehicle120 is backed into a parking spot (e.g., the rear of the vehicle isclosest to the charger), lighting control module 136 may control theillumination of a rear exterior light (e.g., taillight) to indicate thecharge status. In contrast, when the lighting control module determinesthat vehicle 120 is oriented with a front of the vehicle facing thecharger, lighting control module 136 may control the illumination of afront exterior light (e.g., parking light) to indicate the chargestatus. In some embodiments, lighting control module 136 may controlboth the front exterior light and the rear exterior light to indicatethe charge status.

As another example, when vehicle 120 is being charged more than athreshold distance away from a tagged location (e.g., when the vehicleis being charged more than 50 feet away from the user's home), thecharge status information may be displayed during the entire timevehicle 120 is charging. In some embodiments, the positioning data isreceived from charger 110 (e.g., via coupling 153). When lightingcontrol module 136 receives an indication from on-board charger 134 orbattery charger 110 that vehicle 120 is disconnected from the batterycharger, lighting control module 136 can cause exterior lighting 140 tocease emitting light indicating the charge status.

In some embodiments, the displayed charge status varies based on adetected charger type or charging location. For example, electricvehicle subsystems 130 may determine that vehicle 120 is being chargedat a non-home location, such as a public charger, based on thepositioning data. In response to determining that vehicle 120 is beingcharged at a public charger, lighting control module 136 may controlexterior lighting 140 to display a charge status, such as a chargepercentage of battery 122. In contrast, when electric vehicle subsystems130 determines that battery charger 110 is associated with anothervehicle (e.g., based on receiving data via coupling 152 or usingwireless communications such as a dedicate short range communicationchannel, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.), lighting control module 136 maycontrol exterior lighting 140 to display an animation indicating whethervehicle 120 is charging or getting charged by the other vehicle(discussed further with respect to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 ).

At least some of electric vehicle subsystems 130 may operate, orotherwise draw power (e.g., lighting control module 136, exteriorlighting 140, and sensors 145) while the vehicle is in a chargingconfiguration. Battery management module 132 may be configured to manageproviding power to subsystems of electric vehicle systems 130, whilebattery charger 110 is connected (e.g., via couplings 150 and 152) andproviding charging current at a suitable voltage.

The battery management module and lighting control module may beimplemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The batterymanagement module and lighting control module may be standalone modules,modules distributed among processing equipment, module integrated intoan existing electric vehicle system, or be a combination thereof.

FIG. 2 shows charge status views 200 depicting four illustrative viewsof a rectangular exterior light of an electric vehicle indicating chargestatus in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.The exterior light (e.g., one of exterior lighting 140 of FIG. 1 ) maybe any suitable exterior light such as a daytime running light or aposition light (e.g., center lamp 706 of FIG. 7 ). In some embodiments,the daytime running light or position light is shaped like a bar that ispositioned on the front bumper area of the vehicle (discussed furtherwith respect to FIG. 7 ). The bar can extend between the headlights. Insome embodiments, the width of the daytime running light is at least 3,4, 5, 6, 7 or more times greater than its height.

In some embodiments, the exterior light comprises a first set of lightemitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting light during driving operation ofthe electric vehicle and a second set of LEDs for emitting light thatindicates the charge status. Each of the four views (e.g., views 202,204, 206, and 208) shows a different illumination pattern of theexterior light depicted as various shaded regions (e.g., shaded regions210, 212, 214, and 216). In view 202, the left twenty-five percent ofthe exterior light is emitting light, depicted as shaded region 210. Inview 204, the left fifty percent of the exterior light is emittinglight, depicted as shaded region 212. In view 206, the left seventy-fivepercent of the exterior light is emitting light, depicted as shadedregion 214. In view 206, the entire exterior light is emitting light,depicted as shaded region 216. Each view indicates a different chargelevel of the battery. For example, when lighting control modulereceives, from battery management module 132, an indication that battery122 is charged twenty-five percent, battery management module mayinstruct exterior lighting 140 to illuminate twenty-five percent of thedaytime running light (as depicted by shaded region 210 in view 202).

In some embodiments, the percentage of the exterior light that isemitting light corresponds to the battery charge level percentage. Inother words, the illuminated portion of the exterior light increases asthe charge level increases. For example, the exterior light may includemultiple LEDs and as the charge level increases, additional LEDs areturned on to emit light (e.g., under the control of lighting controlmodule 136 of FIG. 1 ). For example, lighting control module 136 mayidentify a subset of LEDs within an array of LEDs of the daytime runninglight or position light (e.g., the leftmost twenty-five percent of LEDsin the array) corresponding to the charge level (e.g., twenty fivepercent). Lighting control module 136 may transmit, via coupling 158(e.g., a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus), an indication of the subsetto an LED driver of exterior lighting 140. In response to receiving theindication of the subset, exterior lighting 140 may illuminate theleftmost twenty-five percent of the LEDs in the array. The color ofemitted light can be the same or different than the color of emittedlight during driving operation of the vehicle.

When the exterior light of FIG. 2 is an exterior light (e.g., a daytimerunning light or a position light), the color of emitted light may bewhite during driving operation of the vehicle. The color of emittedlight may be different when the exterior light is indicating the chargestatus. In some embodiments, the color is blue when the light isindicating the charge level, green when fully charged, and red whenthere is a charge problem. This provides an easy to read chargeindicator. It is visible a short distance or longer distance away fromthe electric vehicle. For example, while a vehicle is being charged at arest stop on a highway, an owner of the vehicle can easily see thecharge level of his or her car from inside of the rest stop.

Although the embodiment of FIG. 2 is described with respect toincreasing the size of the illuminated portion of the exterior lightfrom left to right as a charge level of the battery increases, the sizeof the illuminated portion may begin at, and increase in any direction.For example, the size of the illuminated portion may increase frombottom to top of the exterior light, right to left, top to bottom,center out, etc.

FIG. 3 shows charge status views 300 depicting four illustrative views(e.g., view 302, 304, 306, and 308) of an oval exterior light of anelectric vehicle indicating charge status in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. The exterior light may be anysuitable exterior light such as a headlight or a daytime running light(e.g., front lamps 704 and 708 of FIG. 7 ). Each of the four views(e.g., views 302, 304, 306, and 308) shows a different illuminationpattern of the exterior light depicted as various shaded regions (e.g.,shaded regions 310, 312, 314, and 316). In view 302, the bottomtwenty-five percent of the exterior light is emitting light, depicted asshaded region 310. In view 304, the bottom fifty percent of the exteriorlight is emitting light, depicted as shaded region 312. In view 306, thebottom seventy-five percent of the exterior light is emitting light,depicted as shaded region 314. In view 306, the entire exterior light isemitting light, depicted as shaded region 316. In some embodiments, theexterior light of FIG. 3 may operate similar to the exterior light ofFIG. 2 to indicate the charge status, with the only difference being itsshape.

Although the embodiment of FIG. 2 is described with respect toincreasing the size of the illuminated portion of the exterior lightfrom bottom to top as a charge level of the battery increases, the sizeof the illuminated portion may begin at, and increase in any direction.Although the edge of the illuminated portion is shown as a straight linein both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the edge of the portion may be any design orconfiguration so long as it indicates a percentage charge of thebattery. For example, as discussed below with respect to FIG. 11 , theedge of the illuminated portion may progressively increase and decreasein intensity. While the illumination patterns are depicted as continuousregions, the illumination patterns need not be continuous. For example,the exterior light may contain a plurality of discrete segments (e.g.,50 that can be independently illuminated. Lighting control module 136may instruct the leftmost twenty-five segments to illuminate in responseto determining that the battery is halfway charged.

While FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are discussed in relation to a daytime runninglight, position light, and headlight, respectively, it would beunderstood that exterior lights can be any light such as aparking/position light, taillight, reverse light, turn signal, and/orstandalone lighting enclosure and/or a combination of any such lights.

It will be understood that the shapes of the exterior lights shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 are merely illustrative and that any suitably shapedexterior light can be used to indicate charge status (e.g., a square,triangle, halo, etc.). For example, while the exterior light is depictedas a rectangle in FIG. 2 and as a circle in FIG. 3 , the shape andillumination pattern can vary without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. For example, the exterior light may comprise aplurality of light sources, such as a light source for a stop lamp, alight source for a turn signal, a light source for a back-up light, etc.Each of the light sources may illuminate a same or a different portionof a single exterior light. For example, a top portion of the exteriorlight may be used for the rear position marker and stop signal, while abottom portion of the exterior light may be used for a reverse light anda charge status indicator. In such embodiments where multiple lightmarking/signaling/charging functions share a single lens (e.g., acombination stop, rear marking, and charging indicator light), differentcolors or intensities may be used to distinguish between positionmarking, signaling, or charging functions

FIG. 4 shows a plot 400 of an illustrative light intensity signal(signal 402) in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Abscissa 404 of plot 402 is in units of time and ordinate406 of plot 402 is in units of light intensity. As shown, the lightintensity is substantially constant. It will be understood that asubstantially constant light intensity signal includes a signal havingminor variations due to changes in the temperature of a light emitterand due to minor system fluctuations in the signal applied to a lightemitter. It will also be understood that an emitter driven by analternating current or a pulsed signal (e.g., a PDM signal) such thatthe emitted light intensity appears to be constant to a person may alsobe considered to produce a substantially constant light intensitysignal. In some embodiments, the light intensity signal of the plotcorresponds to the light intensity of an exterior vehicle light (e.g.,exterior lighting 140). For example, the light intensity signal maycorrespond to the light emitted by a daytime running light duringdriving operation of electric vehicle 120.

FIG. 5 shows a plot 500 of an illustrative light intensity signal(signal 502) that varies at a first frequency in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. Abscissa 504 of plot 500 is inunits of time and ordinate 506 of plot 500 is in units of lightintensity.

FIG. 6 shows a plot 600 of an illustrative light intensity signal(signal 602) that varies at a second frequency in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. Abscissa 604 of plot 600 is inunits of time and ordinate 606 of plot 600 is in units of lightintensity. In some embodiments, light intensity signals 502 and 602correspond to the light intensity of an exterior vehicle light (e.g.,exterior light 140) at different points in times. For example, the lightintensity signals may correspond to the light emitted by a daytimerunning light of an electric vehicle when the vehicle is connected to abattery charger. The light intensity signals can be used to indicate thecharging status of the electric vehicle battery. In some embodiments,the relatively slowly varying light intensity signal 502 of FIG. 5(e.g., at a period of between 1-5 seconds) can be used to indicate thatthe battery is charging and the relatively faster varying (e.g., rapidlyvarying) light intensity signal 602 of FIG. 6 (e.g., at a period lessthan 1 second) can be used to indicate that there is a charging fault.

As an example, lighting control module 136 may vary the intensity of thelight emitted by exterior lighting 140 by controlling a duty cycle of aPulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal based on signal 502 or signal 602.For example, when signal 502 or signal 602 is near a local minima, theduty cycle of the PWM signal may be low (e.g., <20%), when signal 502 orsignal 602 is near a local maximum, the duty cycle of the PWM signal maybe high (e.g., >80%). Accordingly, different charging statuses can beindicated by using light intensity signals having differentcharacteristics. This enables a single exterior light to be used formultiple purposes, even when the exterior light is only capable ofemitting light of a single color. As another example, light intensitysignal 402 of FIG. 4 can be used when the battery is fully charged.

It will be understood that the light intensity signals of FIGS. 4-6 aremerely illustrative and that any suitable light intensity signals may beused to convey information. For example, sawtooth or square waveformscan be used in place of the sinusoidal waveforms of FIGS. 5 and 6 . Inaddition, multiple waveforms or waveforms of varying frequency can beused. For example, a long pulse followed by a short pulse may be used toindicate that the battery is fully charged. As another example, thefrequency of variation can be used to indicate the charge level of thebattery. For example, the frequency can increase as the battery levelincreases. As another example, the amplitude of variation or the DClevel can increase as the battery level increases. In another example, amaximum and minimum intensity of signals 402, 502, and 602 may beselected based on a detected amount of ambient light. For example, themaximum intensity may be higher when a light sensor (e.g., one ofsensors 145) detects a high level of ambient light, but may be lowerwhen the light sensor detects a lower level of ambient light.

It will be understood that the light intensity signals of FIGS. 4-6 canbe used with any suitable exterior light or lights of a vehicle. Forexample, the light intensity signals can be provided to both the daytimerunning light in the front of the vehicle and a light in the rear of thevehicle (e.g., a backup light or a taillight). It will also beunderstood that the light intensity signals of FIGS. 4-6 can be used toemit any suitable color or colors of light. In some embodiments, thelight intensity signals of FIGS. 4-6 are used in conjunction with thecharge status views of FIGS. 2 and 3 .

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative arrangement of an exterior light of anelectric vehicle (e.g., exterior lighting 140) in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. For example, exterior light 700may comprise multiple lights, such as side lamps 702 and 710, frontlamps 704 and 708, and center lamp 706. Each of lamps 702, 704, 706,708, and 710 may comprise one or more light sources, such as one or moreLEDs. In such embodiments having more than one light source, the lightsources may be arranged in an array spanning at least one dimension ofthe light. Each light source may be independently controllable bylighting control module 136.

In some embodiments, center lamp 706 and/or front lamps 704 and 708 maybe configured to indicate a charge status of battery 122. As discussedin relation to FIGS. 2 and 3 , lighting control module 136 may vary anilluminated portion of center lamp 706 and/or front lamp 704 and 708based on the charge status. For example, lighting control module 136 maycause the leftmost fifty percent of LEDs within center lamp 706 toilluminate in response to determining that the battery is halfwaycharged. In another example, lighting control module 136 may control theillumination from front lamp 704 and 708 based on the charge status. Forexample, as depicted in FIG. 3 , when the charge status is twenty fivepercent, the bottom twenty five percent of front lamp 704 and/or 708 maybe illuminated. In some embodiments, front lamp 704 and 708 may comprisehigh and low beams. In such embodiments, the portion of front lamp 704and 708, excluding the high and low beams, may illuminate to indicatethe charge status.

While the charge indication system of FIG. 7 is discussed in relation tocenter lamp 706 and front lamp 704 and 710, it would be understood thatany exterior lights, such as side lamps 702 and 710 can be used withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, frontlamp 704 and 710 may be configured as a headlight of vehicle 120. Centerlamp 706 and side lamps 702 and 710 may be configured as positioninglights for vehicle 120.

FIG. 8 shows an illustrative cross sectional view of an exterior light(e.g., exterior light 800) of an electric vehicle in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure. Exterior light 800 isdepicted as a single exterior light enclosure having multiple internalreflective surfaces and downward illuminating light sources. Althoughexterior light 800 comprises multiple illumination sources, exteriorlight 800 is a single lighting enclosure, such as a taillight. Exteriorlight 800 is a cross sectional view of an exterior light (e.g., exteriorlighting 140), such as a taillight. Exterior light 800 is a singleexterior light comprising light source 802 arranged to direct light fromsource 802 downward and light source 818 arranged to direct light fromlight source 818 downward. Light sources 802 and 818 may be any suitablelight source, such as a LED, an array of LEDs, an incandescent bulb,etc. Incident light 804 from light source 802 may be directed downwardtoward reflective surface 806. Reflective surface 806 may be arranged atan angle relative to light source 802 such that incident light 804 isreflected in the direction of exterior lens 816. Incident light 820 fromlight source 818 may be directed downward toward reflective surface 822.Reflective surface 822 may be arranged at an angle relative to lightsource 818 such that incident light 820 is reflected in the direction ofexterior lens 830. The texture of reflective surfaces 806 and 822 may beselected based on a desired light scattering and reflection of incidentlight 804 and 820, respectively. For example, the texture of reflectivesurface 806 may be selected such that the reflected light (e.g.,specular reflected light 808 and diffuse reflected light 810 and 812) isvisible across a surface of exterior lens 816. The texture of reflectivesurface 822 may be selected such that reflected light (e.g., specularreflected light 824 and diffuse reflected light 826 and 828) is visibleacross the surface of exterior lens 830. Although exterior lens 830 and816 are depicted as two separate lenses that are integrated into asingle light housing, in some embodiments, exterior lens 830 and 816 maybe a single lens integrated into a single light housing. Exterior light800 may additionally comprise interior lens 814 configured to transmit,focus, or disperse light reflected from reflective surfaces 806 and 822.In some embodiments, exterior light 800 may comprise internal bafflesbetween sections of light source 802. The internal baffles may absorblight emitted from source 802 that is not directed downwards.

In some embodiments, lighting control module 136 my control, duringdriving operation of the vehicle, light source 818 to emit lightindicating a driving state of the vehicle (e.g., for signaling, marking,indicating a braking operation, etc.). In such embodiments, lightingcontrol module 136 may control, during charging operation of thevehicle, light source 802 to emit light indicating a charge state of thevehicle as discussed above. Although light source 802 and light source818 are depicted as separate light sources, in some embodiments, lightsource 802 and light source 818 may be a single light source. In suchembodiments, the single light source is controlled by lighting controlmodule 136 to indicate both the driving state (e.g., for marking,signaling, indicating braking, etc.) and to indicate the charge state ofthe vehicle.

FIG. 9 shows three illustrative views of an exterior light of anelectric vehicle (e.g., exterior lighting 140) indicating an outflow ofcurrent from the electric vehicle in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure. For example, when electric vehicle subsystem 130detects that vehicle 120 is charging another vehicle via vehicle tovehicle charging, lighting control module 136 may animate the exteriorlight to indicate an outflow of current from battery 122. The exteriorlight may be any suitable exterior light such as a daytime running lightor a position light, (e.g., center lamp 706). Each of the three views(e.g., views 902, 904, and 906) shows a different illumination patterndepicted as various shaded regions (e.g., shaded regions 908, 910, and912). Axis 914 depicts an increasing passage of time from top to bottom.In view 902, lighting control module 136 illuminates a center portion ofthe exterior light, depicted as shaded region 908. In view 904, afterthe passage of an unit of time (e.g., one second), lighting controlmodule 136 increases the size of the illuminated portion of the exteriorlight, depicted as shaded region 910. In view 906, after the passage ofanother unit of time (e.g., another second), lighting control module 136increases the size of the illuminated portion of the exterior light,depicted as shaded region 912. After all of the exterior light is fullyilluminated, and after the passage of another unit of time, lightingcontrol module 136 decreases the size of the illuminated portion of theexterior light, depicted as shaded region 908 (e.g., as indicated bycycle return arrow 916). By progressively increasing the size of theilluminated center portion of the exterior light and then repeating thecycle, lighting control module is able to provide an animation thatindicates to the user that the vehicle is currently supplying an outflowcurrent to a current sink (e.g., another vehicle that is being chargedby vehicle 120). FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary exterior light animationindicating that vehicle 120 is supplying current to a current sink. Anyexterior light animation may be used without departing from the scope ofthe present invention so long as it indicates that current is beingsupplied by vehicle 120. For example, when the exterior light is acircle, the animation may include radially increasing a size of theilluminated portion from a center of the circle. Another exemplaryanimation may include circular arrow depicted to rotate clockwise overtime. Another exemplary animation may include arrows or circlesappearing to move outward away from the center of the exterior light.

FIG. 10 shows three illustrative views of an exterior light of anelectric vehicle (e.g., exterior lighting 140) indicating an inflow ofcurrent from the electric vehicle in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure. For example, when electric vehicle subsystem 130detects that vehicle 120 is being charged by another vehicle via vehicleto vehicle charging, lighting control module 136 may animate theexterior light to indicate an inflow of current to battery 122. Theexterior light may be any suitable exterior light such as a daytimerunning light or a position light, (e.g., center lamp 706). Each of thethree views (e.g., views 1002, 1004, and 1006) shows a differentillumination pattern depicted as various shaded regions (e.g., shadedregions 1008, 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016, 1018). Axis 1020 depicts anincreasing passage of time from top to bottom. In view 1002, lightingcontrol module 136 illuminates a left and a right portion of theexterior light, depicted as shaded region 1008 and 1010. In view 1004,after the passage of an unit of time (e.g., one second), lightingcontrol module 136 increases the size of the left and right illuminatedportion of the exterior light, depicted as shaded regions 1012 and 1014.In view 1006, after the passage of another unit of time (e.g., anothersecond), lighting control module 136 increases the illuminated portionof the exterior light, depicted as shaded regions 1016 and 1018. Afterall of the exterior light is fully illuminated, and after the passage ofanother unit of time, lighting control module 136 decreases the size ofthe illuminated portion of the exterior light, depicted as shadedregions 1008 and 1010 (e.g., as indicated by cycle return arrow 916). Byprogressively increasing the size of the illuminated portion of theexterior light from an outside perimeter of the exterior light inwardand then repeating the cycle, lighting control module is able to providean animation that indicates to the user that the vehicle is currentlyreceiving a charge from another vehicle. By providing an animationduring vehicle to vehicle charging, the user can easily identify whichvehicle is charging and which is getting charged. While FIG. 10 depictsan exemplary exterior light animation indicating that vehicle 120 ischarging, any exterior light animation may be used without departingfrom the scope of the present invention so long as it indicates thatcurrent is being supplied to vehicle 120. For example, when the exteriorlight is a circle, the animation may include radially increasing a sizeof the illuminated portion from a perimeter of the circle into thecenter of the circle. Another exemplary animation may include circulararrow depicted to rotate clockwise over time. Another exemplaryanimation may include arrows or circles appearing to move toward thecenter of the exterior light.

While the animations are depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 as discreteanimations, the unit of time and increase in size of the illuminatedregion may be may be selected such that the change appears as continuousto the user. In some embodiments, the animations depicted in FIGS. 9 and10 may be used in combination with the charge indicators depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3 , and/or may be used in combination with intensityvariations depicted in FIGS. 4-6 (e.g., using a same or a differentlight source of the exterior light and/or multiple exterior lights).

FIG. 11 shows illustrative views of an exterior light of an electricvehicle indicating charge status in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 , lighting control module 136varies an intensity of a portion of the exterior light based on thecharge status. The exemplary exterior light (e.g., one of exteriorlighting 140) may comprise a plurality of independently controllableilluminating elements, such as a plurality of LEDs. For example, theexterior light may comprise fifty light sources which can be controlledindependently by lighting control module 136. In such embodiments,lighting control module 136 may determine a percentage of battery chargecorresponding to each light source. For example, lighting control module136 may determine that the leftmost light source corresponds to zerothrough two percent state of charge for battery 122, the second leftmostlight source corresponds to two through four percent state of charge,etc. Each light source may correspond to a specific percentage state ofcharge for the battery (e.g., two percent). Accordingly, lightingcontrol module 136 may control a subset of the plurality of lightsources to indicate a charge status (e.g., twenty five light sourceswhen the battery is fifty percent charged). In some embodiments,lighting control module 136 may vary over time the intensity of lightemitted from a source that corresponds to the percentage that ispresently being charged (e.g., from minimum intensity to maximumintensity). For example, the intensity of light emitted from the twentysixth leftmost light source may vary over time while the battery isbetween fifty through fifty two percent charged. When the battery chargepercentage exceeds fifty two percent, the twenty sixth leftmost lightsource may illuminate at a constant intensity and the intensity of thetwenty seventh light source will vary over time.

In each of the views in FIG. 11 (e.g., view 1102, 1112, 1116, 1120,1124, 1128 and 1130) a color and shading of each region represents adifferent light intensity. When the battery is charged approximatelyfifty one percent, lighting control module 136 may illuminate theleftmost twenty five light sources (e.g., constant intensity region1104) at a constant intensity (e.g., signal 402 depicted in FIG. 4 ) andmay vary over time the intensity of the twenty sixth light source (e.g.,charging region 1106).

At decision 1108, lighting control module 136 determines whether abattery charge has exceeded a percentage corresponding to chargingregion 1106. For example, lighting control module 136 may determine thatcharging region 1106 corresponds to a battery charge percentage betweenfifty and fifty two. While the battery is fifty one percent charged,lighting control module will progressively increase the intensity oflight emitted from charging region 1106. For example, views 1112, 1116,1120, 1124, and 1128 depict a progressively increasing intensity emittedfrom charging regions 1110, 1114, 1118, 1122, and 1126. In view 1112,charging region 1110 is depicted having a ten percent intensity (e.g.,ten percent of the maximum intensity); in view 1116 charging region 1114is depicted having a thirty percent intensity; in view 1120 chargingregion 1118 is depicted having a fifty percent intensity; in view 1124charging region 1122 is depicted having a seventy percent intensity; andin view 1128 charging region 1126 is depicted having a ninety percentintensity. When lighting control module 136 determines that the batterycharge has not exceeded the percentage corresponding to the chargingregion (e.g., the battery charge is between fifty and fifty twopercent), lighting control module 136 will resume varying over time theintensity of light emitted from the charging region. When lightingcontrol module 136 determines that the battery charge has exceeded thepercentage corresponding to charging region 1106 (e.g., the batterycharge is greater than fifty two percent), lighting control module 136will illuminate charging region 1106 at a constant intensity(represented as constant intensity region 1132) and will begin varyingthe intensity of light emitted from new charging region 1136 (e.g., theregion corresponding to fifty two to fifty four percent battery charge).

Although the variation in the light intensity is described as linear,any variation in the signal intensity over time may be used. Forexample, the intensity of the light may vary as depicted by signal 502of FIG. 5 or signal 602 of FIG. 6 . Although the exterior light depictedin FIG. 11 is rectangular, the exterior light can be any shape andconfiguration, such as the round, as depicted in FIG. 3 , or rectangularas depicted in FIG. 2 . While the changes in intensity are depicted inFIG. 11 are discrete, the unit of time and increase in illumination maybe may be selected such that the change appears as continuous to theuser. In some embodiments, the changes in intensity depicted in FIG. 11may be used in combination with the charge indicators depicted in FIGS.2 and 3 , and/or may be used in combination with intensity variationsdepicted in FIGS. 4-6 (e.g., using a same or a different light source ofthe exterior light and/or multiple exterior lights).

FIG. 12 shows illustrative views of an exterior light of an electricvehicle indicating a charging delay in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure. In some embodiments, lighting control module136 may receive an indication of a battery charging delay. For example,on-board charger 134 may receive a request from a user to delay chargingof battery 122 for five hours even though battery 122 is connected tobattery charger 110 (e.g., so that charging takes place when electricityprices are lowest). In response to determining that there is a chargingdelay (e.g., via on-board charger 134), lighting control module 136 mayvary an intensity of a portion of exterior lighting 140 representing anuncharged percentage of the battery. For example, when the battery ischarged fifty percent, and there is a charging delay, lighting controlmodule 136 may vary an intensity of the rightmost fifty percent of theexterior light and may illuminate the leftmost fifty percent of theexterior light at a constant intensity. As such, a user can easilydetermine, from the exterior of the vehicle, a current battery chargelevel and that the battery will begin charging in the future.

Each of the five illustrative views depicted in FIG. 12 (e.g., view1202, 1208, 1214, 1220, and 1226) shows a different intensity of anexterior light depicted as various varying intensity regions (e.g.,1206, 1212, 1218, 1224, and 1230) and various constant intensity regions(e.g., 1204, 1210, 1216, 1222, and 1228). The constant intensity regions1204, 1210, 1216, 1222 and 1228 may illuminate at a substantiallyconstant intensity in each view (e.g., seventy percent of a maximumintensity). In view 1202, the right portion of the exterior light isemitting light at a low intensity (e.g., ten percent of maximumintensity). After a period of time (e.g., 0.5 seconds represented bytime bar 1232), lighting control module 136 increases the intensity oflight emitted from the right portion (e.g., thirty percent of maximumintensity), depicted as varying intensity region 1212. After passage ofthe period of time (e.g., an additional 0.5 seconds represented by timebar 1232), lighting control module 136 increases the intensity of lightemitted from the right portion (e.g., fifty percent of maximumintensity), depicted as varying intensity region 1218. After passage ofthe period of time (e.g., an additional 0.5 seconds), lighting controlmodule 136 increases the intensity of light emitted from the rightportion (e.g., seventy percent of maximum intensity), depicted asvarying intensity region 1224. After passage of the period of time(e.g., an additional 0.5 seconds), lighting control module 136 increasesthe intensity of light emitted from the right portion (e.g., ninetypercent of maximum intensity), depicted as varying intensity region1230. After passage of the period of time, the cycle repeats,represented by arrow 1234.

Although the change in intensity is depicted as linearly increasing andthen repeating, any variation in intensity can be used (e.g., thechanges in intensity represented by signal 502 or 602). Although theexterior light depicted in FIG. 12 is rectangular, the exterior lightcan be any shape and configuration, such as the round, as depicted inFIG. 3 , or rectangular as depicted in FIG. 2 . While the changes inintensity are depicted in FIG. 12 are discrete, the period of time andincrease in illumination may be may be selected such that the changeappears as continuous to the user. In some embodiments, the changes inintensity depicted in FIG. 12 may be used in combination with the chargeindicators depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 , and/or may be used in combinationwith intensity variations depicted in FIGS. 4-6 (e.g., using a same or adifferent light source of the exterior light and/or multiple exteriorlights).

In some embodiments, lighting control module 136 causes the exteriorlight to emit light for the entirety of the duration of the chargingdelay. For example, when the charging is delayed for five hours, theexterior light emits light in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 12for five hours. In some embodiments, the charging delay indicatordepicted in FIG. 12 is displayed only during the presence of a user. Forexample, when lighting control module 136 receives data from sensors 145indicating the presence of a person, lighting control module 136 cancause exterior lighting 140 to emit light that indicates the chargedelay. In some embodiments control module 136 will cause exteriorlighting 140 to cease emitting light that indicates the charge delay,after a threshold amount of time (e.g., five minutes) from detecting thepresence of a person. In some embodiments, the charging delay indicatoris displayed when the vehicle is in specific locations. For example, insome embodiments, lighting control module determines whether vehicle 120is located at a tagged location (e.g., based on GPS data from sensors145) and displays the charge delay indicator when the vehicle is withina threshold distance of a tagged location. In some embodiments, thecharge delay indicator of FIG. 12 is displayed for a threshold amount oftime after plugging in battery charger 110 to vehicle 120. For example,the charge delay indicator may be displayed for five minutes afterplugging in charger 110 to vehicle 120. The charge delay indicator maybe displayed once again upon detecting the presence of a user. In someembodiments, after the charge delay is completed and the battery beginscharging, a charge status indicator as discussed above is displayedinstead of the charge delay indicator.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of thisdisclosure and various modifications may be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The abovedescribed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and notof limitation. The present disclosure also can take many forms otherthan those explicitly described herein. Accordingly, it is emphasizedthat this disclosure is not limited to the explicitly disclosed methods,systems, and apparatuses, but is intended to include variations to andmodifications thereof, which are within the spirit of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A charge indicator system for an electricvehicle, comprising: a light; and a light control module configured to:determine that the electric vehicle is charging; based on thedetermining: illuminate a first region of the light and a second regionof the light; move the illuminated first region and the illuminatedsecond region inward towards each other from initial positions; andreturn the illuminated first region and the illuminated second region totheir initial positions.
 2. The charge indicator system of claim 1,wherein the light is located on an exterior of the electric vehicle. 3.The charge indicator system of claim 1, wherein the light control moduleis further configured to illuminate the light at a constant intensityduring operation of the electric vehicle.
 4. The charge indicator systemof claim 1, wherein the light control module is further configured to:detect a charging fault; and in response to detecting the chargingfault, illuminate the light at a varying intensity.
 5. The chargeindicator system of claim 1, wherein the light comprises a plurality oflight segments.
 6. The charge indicator system of claim 5, wherein thelight further comprises a plurality of lamps, wherein a first subset ofthe plurality of light segments are located in a first lamp and whereina second subset of the plurality of segments are located in a secondlamp.
 7. The charge indicator system of claim 6, wherein the first lampis located on a left side of the electric vehicle and wherein the secondlamp is located on a right side of the electric vehicle.
 8. The chargeindicator system of claim 1, wherein the light control module is furtherconfigured to: illuminate the light with a first color during operationof the electric vehicle; and illuminate the light with a second colorduring charging.
 9. The charge indicator system of claim 8, wherein thesecond color is blue.
 10. The charge indicator system of claim 1,wherein the light control module is further configured to: detect thepresence of a person, and illuminate the light to indicate the chargestatus responsive to detecting the presence of the person.
 11. A methodfor indicating a charge of an electric vehicle, the method comprising:determining, using processing circuitry, that the electric vehicle ischarging; and in response to determining that the electric vehicle ischarging: illuminating, using the processing circuitry, a first regionof a light and a second region of the light, wherein the light islocated on an exterior of the electric vehicle; moving the illuminatedfirst region and the illuminated second region inward towards each otherfrom initial positions; and returning the illuminated first region andthe illuminated second region to their initial positions.
 12. The methodof claim 11, wherein the light is located on an exterior of the electricvehicle.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising illuminating,using the processing circuitry, the light at a constant intensity duringoperation of the electric vehicle.
 14. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: detecting, using the processing circuitry, a charging fault;and in response to detecting the charging fault, illuminating the lightat a varying intensity.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the lightcomprises a plurality of light segments.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the light further comprises a plurality of lamps, wherein afirst subset of the plurality of light segments are located in a firstlamp and wherein a second subset of the plurality of segments arelocated in a second lamp.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the firstlamp is located on a left side of the electric vehicle and wherein thesecond lamp is located on a right side of the electric vehicle.
 18. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: illuminating the light with afirst color during operation of the electric vehicle; and illuminatingthe light with a second color during charging.
 19. The method of claim18, wherein the second color is blue.
 20. The method of claim 11,further comprising: detecting the presence of a person, and illuminatingthe light to indicate the charge status responsive to detecting thepresence of the person.